Making a Small Toy Chest

Hey guys, thanks for checking this one out. This toy chest is made of solid white oak and walnut. The dimensions are roughly 24" x 15" x 17". The corners are held together with dowels using the Dowelmax jig. I used the CNC router to route the handholds as well as the templates for the finger recess and stretcher details. The finish is walnut oil.
Thanks for watching!
Here are products I like to use often in the shop. These are affiliate links. Purchasing through these links helps support the parillaworks channel. Thanks!
Dowelmax Dowelling Jig: amzn.to/2VCNRW9
Flat Bottom Grind Blade: amzn.to/2vo44Ec
Makita Trim Router: amzn.to/2IbBYOW
Dewalt Trim Router: amzn.to/2I9rEqO
Makita Track Saw: amzn.to/38dwyO5
Double Sided Tape: amzn.to/32Nxd82
¼” Spiral Flush Trim Bit: amzn.to/2uS2ZUQ
Narex Chisels: amzn.to/38fP3l7
amzn.to/2VETFi8
amzn.to/3crk34M
Mahoney’s Walnut Oil: amzn.to/2VETNy8
Website: www.parillawork...
Instagram: / parillaworks

[@parillaworks]

I'll get a Dowelmax video together soon. Thanks for the feedback :)

[@larry5948]

I’m of the older generation that when our families were young, most of the shop tools were hand me downs. I’ve noticed that you younger guys have shops full of all the latest tools..eg drum sanders, CNC, big table saws. I guess being a carpenter now is more lucrative than in days past. Great craftsmanship and skills.

[@parillaworks]

I wish I had some hand me downs. Old iron is usually nicer and higher quality.

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

Awwww, my heart melted with the pics of your baby girl inside the toy chest 😍. Beautiful! The project turned out awesome too ☺️

[@parillaworks]

Thank you! She didn't want to get out!

[@craftedworkshop]

Turned out great! Similar to the toy chest I built for my little dude, interesting to see how some little things really change the overall look from more modern to more traditional.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks man, can't say your build didn't inspire parts of this build!

[@DanielDunlap]

The Austin Powers reference had me cracking up. Great video!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Daniel!!

[@Gatorspader]

parillaworks yup funny bit! you could’ve added a little LEGO dude on the ledge to have the box closing on him although that might’ve been too much for such a wholesome channel.

[@parillaworks]

Wholesome!? Just wait til my next video.

[@davetaylor2088]

Every piece an heirloom. Nice work.

[@thomaswalker6351]

I've used white oak and walnut on several of my projects. I think the contrasting look is great! Nice Job!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Thomas Walker two of the best pairing woods.

[@elizabethsuggs993]

Gorgeous

[@williambeck830]

I really like the look of the base. So much better than leaving it with that modern look. Great video.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks William!

[@thatmountain]

yeah, do a dowel video. i always enjoy shop projects and behind the scenes stuff.

[@kosinskiarek]

Amazing in every regard. When I find time and courage to build toy chest for my kids I will attempt to use your idea. Thank you for sharing and keep up the excellent work!

[@parillaworks]

Thank you!! Good luck :)

[@richardblackmore527]

A stunning and simply elegant build. So impressed!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@nevillerooney3632]

Fantastic design. You nailed (or perhaps dowelled ) the balance of elegance and safety. Love it.

[@striker3706]

I would appreciate a Dowelmax video and kudos to your excellent channel.

[@snerve]

Nice build and design! You can avoid chipout by turning over the workpiece and trim from the opposite side. By using a flush trim bit with two bearings at the top and the bottom this is really easy...

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! Definitely a good tip. I don't have the double bearing bit at the moment but will be buying one soon for an upcoming build.

[@dunlapsig]

+1 for baby in toy chest for scale. Also, you have my favorite outro of any of the woodworkers I follow. I really appreciate the quality of your videos.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Drew!! Very kind of you to say.

[@davisfarris]

Love the Austin Powers clip. Ha. Great build.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks David!

[@jdaddekflores5206]

Amazing

[@Saartekk]

Great and beautiful built! Love the smiling handles and the roundet details of the base.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot!

[@MoscaWoodworking]

nice job. you are right. that oak looks amazing

[@WayWoodworking]

I wish I had put a base on the one I built. Nice work!

[@2YLITE22]

Dowelmax jig video? YES PLEASE! :)

[@lVl1GGL3]

Simple and beautiful! love the contrast of the chest itself and the base.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Mike!

[@kathylauwagie3177]

I really like this project. I do believe she will out grow this quite quickly. :)

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Kathy! :)

[@SendItBilly]

Yes on the dowelmax video.

[@billm4560]

I really like that John! 👍🏻 you are a wizard with that doweling jig! 😁 You make it look SO easy! Thanks for sharing!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Bill!!!

[@6Soriano]

I truly enjoy your videos and craftmanship

[@parillaworks]

Thank you John and Rebekah!

[@hollewoodfurniture8190]

Beautiful toy chest! Appreciate the tips on white oak, will be doing my first hardwood table out of white oak in the next week or so. Also, would love a video on the dowel max.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks for the comment. I'll try to get some ideas for a dowelmax video soon.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice looking small toy box John! Thank you for sharing the lovely video with us.👍😎JP

[@NewHopeAudio]

awesome work. truly art. I wish I could have seen you make those stretchers and the base! Looks so pro.

[@alexjrobert7703]

I love so much the way you record it, keeping the sound of the tools and it's stil calm and good to listen and see

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Alex!!! I appreciate it.

[@ithink4994]

Good job my brother without screws perfect

[@joser1219]

Interested in the dowelmax video.

[@donnymcarter]

Awesome build and video John! I love my dowelmax and a video on it would be great! Thanks!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Donny!

[@roBLINDhood]

Great project! Loved the Austin Powers joke and the cute baby pics. Keep up the great work man!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Ian!

[@janbrewington7771]

Thank You

[@randommusings48]

Hahahaha. The Austin Power reference cracked me up. Great build! Please do a video on the Dowelmax jig.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Michael!

[@lifeaslou]

Great craftsmanship and videography! I never get tired of watching your projects come to life. Attaching the base to the chest - I saw the bead of glue, was there more? Also, I agree that a dowelmax tutorial would be great!

[@parillaworks]

Thank you Lou! Just the glue for the base attachment.

[@biscuits671]

Beautiful mate

[@SteveLeonov]

Отлично получилось!!

[@nooneknown]

that branding is crisp

[@hazembata]

I dig it.

[@brainfornothing]

Thanks for sharing !

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Another great project. This turned out great. I LOVE walnut and white oak together. I've been watching lots of your videos lately. The apothecary cabinets and mini apothecary's are amazing. I made a small one. It was a practice one. I hated the dowel joinery. I have a cheaper milescraft and it is not forgiving or easy to use. I'll go look for a video on the dowelmax. It looks much easier.

[@transbytraby414]

Que bonito te quedo amigó. Felicidades.

[@jbb5470]

Outstanding tool box John! Love the detail you added to the feet. Added that little extra bit of style. Beautiful overall. I would like to build one like it for some friends of ours! Inspirational!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot!

[@watcher9132]

If you like the look of white oak with walnut, try hickory, you'll never look back.

[@parillaworks]

I've heard its a very hard wood. Never seen it available locally though.

[@cabman86]

As a father of 7, I would have given the handles eyes.

[@FAMAWoodworking]

Great job! Beautiful box!!!

[@berthatton9410]

Nice build...nicely paced video...thanks.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Bert!

[@pthanos]

Great chest. The baby is nice too :)

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Thanos!

[@MadebyMitch]

Great looking build man! Just found your channel. I dig what I'm seeing so far. 👍

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Mitch!

[@withthegrainwoodworking3620]

Awesome project! I always get pumped when I see you post a video. -Austin

[@parillaworks]

Thanks for the kind words Austin.

[@dmalka518]

This turned out so nice! All of your work is great but I really like this one. Thanks for making these videos

[@parillaworks]

Thanks a lot Dave! Hoping to get some more videos out soon.

[@davisfarris]

Dowel max video please. Thanks!

[@parillaworks]

Noted!

[@CraftedbyRay]

Looks great I love the way you use the cnc it gives me some idea for some of my future projects

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Ray!

[@hebierob]

Good for the dowel ax as well! Also no idea why you don’t have more subscribers.... your stuff is great!

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Henry!

[@jerrystark6766]

Primo toy chest!

[@LutfiO]

Wow that dowel jig costs more than my table saw and router budget :) BTW, great video Sir, thanks for your efforts.

[@parillaworks]

Thanks for watching! Ya it’s definitely not a cheap jig but I use it just about every project so it’s been worth it for me.

[@christinecahill2874]

Wow!! Little overkill on the dowels buddy. Lol considering it's only a box. Half the amount of dowels would get you a whole nother box. Dollars and cents, you mind your pennies and the dollars will watch themselves. Was always told that by a very wealthy man. Lol came out very nice. I dont like white oak for that particular reason of splintering. Keep up the good work. You do some nice projects my friend. ☺

[@parillaworks]

Lol I'll keep that saying in mind. Using that many dowels is the fastest way for me to use the jig without introducing a spacer so it works well enough for now. Thank you for the comment!

[@aussiefreediver]

Would love to see a video using the DowelMax.

[@timothybaker8234]

You really should use toy box hinges. They are dampened to prevent the top from slamming down on a kids head.

[@parillaworks]

I think the slow-close lid stay will take care of that issue. Thanks for watching!

[@TUZO383]

V cool parilla

[@YanthaGinting]

Love it

[@samehmalak.r3016]

Nice work

[@aleksamaker8118]

Yep do a vid about a dowelmax

[@tooljunkie555]

Very nice. Like the walnut and white oak combo as well! Maybe a slight one sided taper on the legs Would look/go better? Idk just a suggestion. I like the look.it looks nice. I'd like the see a vid on the dowelmax been thinking a out getting one the price is what's holding me back and the know how of its use

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

Nice build !;-)

[@hans1163]

👍

[@dstarr3]

Great stuff. I need to build a couple blanket chests soon, a lot of good design and construction tips here. Could you point me to where I can find that slow-close lid stay?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Dave! I got them on amazon and the brand or name was Safe Stay.

[@Yusufmasron]

Neat

[@Hatchmade]

Out of curiosity why did you make a template instead of directly using the CNC to cut out the finger saver? It looks big enough.

[@parillaworks]

The CNC is big enough but it's easier for me to do it by hand. I didn't want the CNC to route the top edge of the box so I felt I would have more control on where to stop when doing it by hand.

[@klingercardoso6706]

Muito bonito

[@vincebaker3384]

tes I would like to see a video about the dowel max

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

We are building a toy box for our grandkids so I watched your video to see how you did the handles and hinges. I can't find those slow close lid stays. Where did you find them? Thanks for the video and Merry Christmas!

[@parillaworks]

The one I used is called “SafeStay lid stay” on Amazon. Around $17. Rockler also sells torsion hinges but they are a bit pricey. Merry Christmas!!

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

@@parillaworks Thanks a bunch.

[@gery3684]

Bonjour, quelle la marque de l’outil utilisé pour percer les trous destinés à recevoir les mini tourillons ?😊

[@pagingjimmypage]

Link to the slow close hardware?

[@camerongibson8749]

Were you happy with your grizzly table top jointer while you had it?

[@parillaworks]

Yup, it was a great little workhorse. I plan on keeping it just in case I find a use for it.

[@janbrewington7771]

That is a beautiful you chest. I'm just getting into trying my hand in making a you box. Couple of questions. Why dowels and not pocket holes? Where do you get walnut oil? I've only seen in grocery stores. I've seen tung oil and linseed oil. Thank you.

[@parillaworks]

I prefer dowels in most situations because they’re typically hidden and also stronger than something like a pocket hole screw. The walnut oil can be found on Amazon, I think there’s a link in the description. If not, search “Mahoney’s Walnut Oil”.

[@janbrewington7771]

parillaworks Thank you.

[@benmarchal]

Great project and excellent video. What is the small jointer we see at 0:30"?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks! That’s a little 6” benchtop model from Grizzly. I believe they still sell a similar version of it.

[@benmarchal]

@@parillaworks Thanks, I'm not familiar with those devices. I cannot find a reference to a similar product in Europe. It would be attractive given my small shop.

[@vladimiranatolevih3756]

Молодец, что сказать.

[@engineerscott2076]

Looks very nice! Brings back memories for me. Do you have any information on your channel about the brand that you use? Is it electric, did you make it, or buy it, etc?

[@parillaworks]

Thanks Scott. I use a torch to heat up the brand...if I buy another I will probably get an electric one, though. I bought it from a site called branding-irons.biz.

[@badboyvids1]

beautiful... How much for the beautiful baby...She's adorable

[@parillaworks]

Lol thank you!

[@VerticalVertex]

Not to loud. Not to infomercial. Remembered why I sub this channel.

[@parillaworks]

Thank you!

[@joserivera8366]

What brand is your dowel jig ?

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

Hello, nice box and i like your idea of offsetting the dowel holes 1/16th of inch to flush cut at the end . I have a question for you sir, when you glued the dowel holes you did not glue the spaces between the dowels, is this okay you think or is it just the video never showed that bit, i know you added blue tape for squeeze out (another good idea of yours ) so you just a bit affraid of squeeze out so you do not got crazy with the glue? Its the first time ever I have seen someone not put glue between the dowels so both mating stocks meat with glue on the butt joint bit,,hope you get my drift :) ? I await your reply, many thanks again for a good video

[@parillaworks]

Hi Christopher. I could've done a better job explaining that part. I do put glue between the dowels. In this video, I applied glue to the side pieces that I put onto the dowels, if that makes sense. I did a poor job showing that. In the last shot of the glue-up, there isn't much squeeze out at all but there was plenty of glue for a solid joint.

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

@@parillaworks thanks :), the dowelmax you use in the USA is a better quality one, here in the UK it's not so good, so I think about buying it then change my mind :(, will search your other videos and you are right ..oak and wallnut go well together always

[@intjonmiller]

One year later and I don't see your dowel max video. Is it part of a different project video?

[@intjonmiller]

Obviously I can search for someone else's, I just like your videos. 😊

[@parillaworks]

Wow it’s been a year already?? I haven’t made the video but will try to soon. Let me know if there’s anything in particular you would like me to highlight.

[@aloiz1972]

Странно, что все пальцы в наличии.

[@jeffreyt7177]

Very nice, now if you can just figure out how to keep her from drawing all over it with a sharpie

[@parillaworks]

If she's anything like I was as a kid...

[@lezbeon]

Who Dat!

[@parillaworks]

Who Dat!!!